Magneto-optical reproducing method using a reproducing layer of horizontal magnetized state at room temperature

ABSTRACT

A method of recording and reproducing information on a magnetooptical recording medium includes the steps of irradiating the medium with laser light to heat a reproducing layer at least to a predetermined temperature at which the layer is vertically magnetizable, thereby rendering the reproducing layer vertically magnetizable and causing it to effect exchange coupling with a recording layer. The method also includes the step of applying a vertical external magnetic field to a portion of the medium irradiated with the laser light and applying a horizontal external magnetic field, weaker than the vertical external magnetic field, during recording and reproducing of data.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/230,781 filedApr. 21, 1994, and now is U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,384.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a magnetooptical recording medium foreffecting information recording and reproduction with laser light, amethod for producing the recording medium, and a method for recording orreproducing information in or from the recording medium.

2. Related Background Art

For rewritable high-density information recording, keen interest isbeing paid to the magnetooptical recording medium in which informationis recorded by forming a magnetic domain in a thin magnetic film withthermal energy of a semiconductor laser and is reproduced by themagnetooptical effect, and, more recently, there is increasing a demandfor increasing the recording density of such a magnetooptical recordingmedium to attain a further increased recording capacity.

The linear recording density of an optical disk, such as themagnetooptical recording medium, is principally determined by the S/Nratio of the reproducing layer, and is significantly dependent on thefrequency of the signal bit train, the wavelength of the laser employedin the reproducing optical system, and the numerical aperture of theobjective lens.

More specifically, once the wavelength λ of the laser of the reproducingoptical system and the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens aregiven, the bit frequency f of the detection limit is determined by thefollowing equation:

    f=λ/2NA

On the other hand, the track density is principally limited by thecrosstalk, which is principally determined by the distribution (profile)of the laser beam on the medium surface and can also be represented by afunction of (λ/2NA) as in the case of the bit frequency mentioned above.Consequently, for achieving a higher density in the conventional opticaldisk, it is necessary to shorten the wavelength of the laser in thereproducing optical system and to increase the numerical aperture NA ofthe objective lens.

However, there are certain limits in such reduction of the wavelength ofthe laser and increase in the numerical aperture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the foregoing, the object of the present inventionis to provide a magnetooptical recording medium capable of increasingthe recording density irrespective of the wavelength of the laser or thenumerical aperture of the objective lens, a method for producing suchrecording medium, and an information record/reproducing method for suchrecording medium.

The above-mentioned object can be attained, according to the presentinvention, by a magnetooptical recording medium provided with pluralthin films, including at least a reproducing layer and a recordinglayer, on a substrate and adapted to effect information recording andreproduction with laser light, wherein the reproducing layer comprises amagnetic film which assumes a horizontally (in-surface) magnetized stateat room temperature but assumes a vertically magnetized state above apredetermined temperature higher than the room temperature, wherein themagnetization in the horizontally magnetized state is free from verticalorientation including in the magnetic wall, while the recording layercomprises a magnetic film which assumes a vertically magnetized state atroom temperature and above said predetermined temperature.

The above-mentioned object is also attained, according to the presentinvention, by a method for producing a magnetooptical recording mediumprovided with plural thin films, including at least a reproducing layerand a recording layer, on a substrate and adapted to effect informationrecording and reproduction with laser light, comprising:

a step of forming a reproducing layer on the substrate;

a step of applying a magnetic field in the film surface direction uponfilm formation; and

a step of forming a recording layer on the substrate.

The above-mentioned object is also attained by an information recordingmethod on a magnetooptical recording medium provided, on a substrate, atleast with a reproducing layer which assumes a horizontally magnetizedstate at room temperature but assumes a vertically magnetized stateabove a predetermined temperature higher than the room temperature,wherein the magnetization in the horizontally magnetized state is freefrom vertical orientation, including the magnetic wall thereof, and arecording layer which assumes a vertically magnetized state at roomtemperature and above said predetermined temperature, comprising:

a step of irradiating the medium with laser light to heat thereproducing layer at least to said predetermined temperature, therebyrendering the reproducing layer as a vertically magnetized film andcausing the same to effect exchange coupling with the recording layer;

a step of applying an external magnetic field of perpendicular directionto the portion, irradiated with the laser light, of the medium; and

a step of applying an external magnetic field of horizontal (in-surface)direction weaker than the above-mentioned external field.

The above-mentioned object can further be attained by an informationreproducing method for a magnetooptical medium provided, on a substrate,at least with a reproducing layer which assumes a horizontallymagnetized state at room temperature but assumes a vertically magnetizedstate above a predetermined temperature higher than the roomtemperature, wherein the magnetization in the horizontally magnetizedstate is free from vertical orientation, including the magnetic wallthereof, and a recording layer which assumes a vertically magnetizedstate at room temperature and above said predetermined temperature,comprising:

a step of applying an external magnetic field of the horizontaldirection to said medium;

a step of irradiating the medium with laser light from the side of thereproducing layer of the medium to heat the reproducing layer at leastto said predetermined temperature, thereby rendering the reproducinglayer as a vertically magnetized film, thus causing the same to effectexchange coupling with the recording layer and transferring theinformation, recorded in the recording layer, to the reproducing layer;and

a step of detecting the reflected light of the laser light therebyreading the information transferred to the reproducing layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of magnetoopticalrecording medium of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a viewshowing the magnetized state of a recording layer and a reproducinglayer while FIG. 1B is a view showing configuration of layers;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing magnetic domains in the reproducinglayer of a conventional magnetooptical recording medium;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing the state of magnetic wallwhen magnetic domains are formed in the reproducing layer in aconventional magnetooptical recording medium;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing the state of magnetizationwhen magnetic domains are formed in the recording layer by the magneticdomains formed in the reproducing layer in a conventional magnetoopticalrecording medium;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing the state of magnetizationwhen magnetic domains are formed in the recording layer by aone-directional magnetic domain of the reproducing layer in themagnetooptical recording medium of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a chart showing the temperature-dependent change ofdemagnetizing energy 2πMs² and vertical magnetic anisotropic energy Kuof the reproducing layer; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the magnetoopticalreproducing method, wherein FIG. 7A shows a case employing themagnetooptical recording medium of the present invention, while FIG. 7Bshows a case employing a conventional magnetooptical recording medium inwhich magnetic domains are formed in the reproducing layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The magnetooptical recording medium of the present invention isprovided, on a substrate, at least with a first magnetic layer(reproducing layer) which assumes the state of a horizontally (in-plane)magnetized film at room temperature but assumes the state of avertically magnetized film above a predetermined temperature higher thanthe room temperature, and a second magnetic layer (recording layer)which assumes the state of a vertically magnetized film at roomtemperature and above said predetermined temperature, with a Curietemperature lower than that of the first magnetic layer.

In the following the present invention will be clarified in detail, withreference to the attached drawings, in which FIGS. 1A and 1B areschematic views showing the configuration of layers of themagnetooptical recording medium of the present invention, FIG. 2 is aschematic view showing the state of magnetic domains in case thatmagnetic domains are formed in the reproducing layer in a conventionalmagnetooptical recording medium, FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic viewsshowing the state of magnetic wall in case that magnetic domains areformed in the reproducing layer in a conventional magnetoopticalrecording medium, FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing the stateof magnetization in case that magnetic domains are formed in therecording layer by the magnetic domains formed in the reproducing layerin a conventional magnetooptical recording medium, FIGS. 5A and 5B areschematic views showing the state of magnetization in case that magneticdomains are formed in the recording layer in the presence of aone-directional magnetic domain in the reproducing layer, FIG. 6 is achart showing the temperature-dependent change of demagnetizing energy2πMs² and vertical magnetic anisotropic energy Ku of the reproducinglayer, and FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing themagnetooptical reproducing method.

(1) Structure and composition of medium

The reproducing layer of the magnetooptical recording medium of thepresent invention is preferably composed of a material having acompensation temperature between the room temperature and the Curietemperature, for example an amorphous rare earth-iron group alloy, suchas GdCo, GdFeCo, GdTbFeCo, GdDyFeCo or NdGdFeCo. Magnetization of thereproducing layer in the horizontally magnetized state is free fromvertical orientation, including the magnetic wall.

The recording layer is preferably composed of a material having largevertical magnetic anisotropy and capable of stably maintaining themagnetized state, for example an amorphous rare earth-iron group alloysuch as TbFeCo, DyFeCo or TbDyFeCo; a garnet; a periodically structuredplatinum group-iron group film such as Pt/Co or Pd/Co; or a platinumgroup-iron group alloy such as PtCo or PdCo.

These magnetic layers may additionally contain an element such as Cr, Tior Pt for improving corrosion resistance. Also, in addition to thesemagnetic layers, there may be provided a dielectric layer for example ofSiN, AlN_(x), AlO_(x), TaO_(x) or SiO_(x) in order to increase theinterference effect.

Furthermore, for improving the thermal conductivity, there may be addeda layer for example of Al, AlTa, AlTi or Cu. Furthermore, there may beadditionally provided an intermediate layer for regulating the exchangecoupling force or the statomagnetic coupling force, or an auxiliarylayer for assisting the recording or reproduction. Furthermore there maybe added a protective coated layer consisting of a dielectric materialas mentioned above or of polymer resin.

In the following there will be explained the recording and reproducingmethods of the present invention.

(2) Data recording

At first data signal is recorded in the recording layer 2 of themagnetooptical recording medium of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 1A. The recording is achieved either by modulation of an externalmagnetic field under the irradiation of laser light of a power capableof heating the recording layer at least to the Curie temperature, or,after information erasure, by modulation of laser power under theapplication of a magnetic field in the recording direction.

In this operation, if the intensity of the laser light is so determined,in consideration of the linear velocity of the recording medium, thatonly a predetermined area of the recording layer within the light spotreaches the Curie temperature or the vicinity thereof, there can beformed a recorded magnetic domain smaller than the diameter of the lightspot, so that the signal can be recorded with a frequency below thediffraction limit of the light.

The reproducing layer 1 in horizontally magnetized state may formrecycling magnetic domains as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, in order toreduce the demagnetizing energy.

The boundary of such magnetic domains may be in a state where themagnetic moment rotates horizontally (Nail magnetic wall), or a statewhere the magnetic moment rotates vertically (Bloch magnetic wall) asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In the recording operation, if a portion to be recorded of the recordinglayer is adjacent to the magnetic wall of the reproducing layer as shownin FIGS. 4A and 4B, the vertically oriented magnetization of thereproducing layer influences the magnetization generating process in therecording layer, thereby facilitating the formation of invertedmagnetization within the magnetic domain of the recording layer.Formation of such uneven magnetic domain (such as a microdomain)increases the noise in the reproducing process, thereby hinderingaccurate readout of the recorded information.

In contrast, in the present invention, the reproducing layer isone-directionally magnetized as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, or, even inthe presence of a magnetic wall, the magnetization therein is maintainedhorizontally. Consequently the recording layer is maintained free fromundesirable influence from the magnetic wall, and does not generatemicrodomains. For this reason the magnetic domains can be formed inproper manner.

(3) Data reproduction

At the data reproduction, the recording medium is irradiated withreproducing laser light from the side of the reproducing layer, wherebythe irradiated portion becomes heated. Since the recording medium ismoved with a constant velocity, there is generated a temperaturedistribution in the moving direction of the medium, whereby a partwithin the light spot reaches a high temperature.

In a single-layered magnetic film, it is already known that the maindirection of magnetization is determined by an effective verticalmagnetic anisotropy constant K⊥ defined by:

    K⊥=Ku-2πMs.sup.2

wherein Ms is the saturation magnetization and Ku is the verticalmagnetic anisotropy constant. A vertically magnetized film or ahorizontally magnetized film is obtained respectively when K⊥ ispositive or negative. 2Ms² indicates the demagnetizing energy.

The reproducing layer of the present invention is a horizontallymagnetized film at the room temperature (RT) because, as shown in FIG.6;

    Ku<2πMs.sup.2, K⊥<0.

However, at the reproducing operation, it becomes a verticallymagnetized film because the heating reduces Ms of the reproducing layer,thus drastically reducing 2πMs² and inverting the relationship with Kuas:

    Ku>2πMs.sup.2, K⊥>0.

When such thin magnetic film is laminated directly on a horizontallymagnetized film or via an intermediate layer, the apparent Ku varies dueto the influence of the exchange coupling force or the statomagneticcoupling force from these layers, but there can still be attained thehorizontally magnetized state at the room temperature and the verticallymagnetized state at the elevated temperature even when laminated withother layers, by suitably selecting the temperature range of verticalmagnetization in the single-layered film higher or lower according tothe above-mentioned influence. Thus, by laminating the recording layerconsisting of the vertically magnetized film with the reproducing layerof which direction of magnetization varies from horizontal direction tovertical direction, only a high temperature portion of the light spotassumes the state of vertical magnetization to cause exchange couplingbetween the recording and reproducing layers, whereby the magnetizationof the recording layer is transferred. It is therefore renderedpossible, by detecting the reflected light of the irradiating laserlight, to reproduce the signal with a frequency below the diffractionlimit of the light.

Also in the present invention, as the reproduction can be achievedwithout the influence of bits adjacent in the track or radial direction,the signals recorded with an increased linear recording density and anincreased track density can be reproduced with a satisfactory C/N ratio.

In the foregoing explanation, the layers are assumed to be magneticallycoupled by exchange coupling, but they may also be magnetically coupledby statomagnetic coupling. Furthermore where may be provided anintermediate layer of a different Curie temperature, for achievingsharper signal transfer.

In the above-explained data reproducing process, a Bloch magnetic walleventually present in the reproducing layer within the light spot asshown in FIG. 7B may generate a vertically magnetized component in themask area, thus causing a noise in the data reproduction. In the presentinvention, however, such noise generation does not occur because thereproducing layer is one-directionally magnetized, without magneticwall, at least within the laser spot as shown in FIG. 7A.

The above-mentioned one-directionally magnetized state, as explained in(2) data recording and (3) data reproduction, can be attained by auniaxial anisotropy obtained by the application of a horizontal magneticfield at the film formation, or by the application of a horizontalmagnetic field to the portion irradiated with the laser light at therecording or reproducing operation.

The magnitude of such magnetic field to be horizontally applied shouldbe so large as to one-directionally orient the horizontal magnetizationbut so small as not to detrimentally influence the magnetic domainformation at the recording operation, by the inclination of themagnetizations of the recording and reproducing layers toward thehorizontal direction.

Also the state free from a magnetic wall having vertical magnetizationin the reproducing layer, or the state of recording or reproduction inwhich the magnetization of the reproducing layer is oriented in ahorizontal direction, only needs to be realized at least within thelaser light spot.

In the following the present invention will be further clarified byexamples thereof, but it is to be understood that the present inventionis by no means limited by such examples.

EXAMPLE 1!

Targets of Si, Tb, Gd, Fe and Co were mounted in a DC magnetronsputtering apparatus, then a polycarbonate substrate 3 was fixed on asubstrate holder, and the chamber was evacuated with a cliopump to highvacuum of 1×10⁻⁶ Pa or less.

After the introduction of Ar gas to 0.4 Pa, there were formed, insuccession, a SiN interference layer 4 of a thickness of 780 Å, a GdFeCoreproducing layer 1, a TbFeCo recording layer 2 and a SiN protectivelayer 5 of a thickness of 700 Å to obtain a configuration shown in FIG.1B.

The SiN layer was formed with DC reactive sputtering under theintroduction of N₂ gas in addition to Ar gas. The GdFeCo layer andTbFeCo layer were formed by applying DC power to the Gd, Fe, Co and Tbtargets.

The GdFeCo reproducing layer had a thickness of 400 Å and such acomposition as to have the compensation temperature at 280° C. and theCurie temperature at 350° C. or higher.

The TbFeCo recording layer had a thickness of 400 Å and such acomposition as to be TM rich at the room temperature and to have thecompensation temperature below the room temperature and the Curietemperature at 220° C.

Thus prepared magnetooptical recording medium was subjected to thefollowing measurement of record/reproducing characteristics.

The measuring apparatus employed an objective lens with N.A.=0.55, and alaser wavelength of 780 nm.

The recording operation was conducted with a power of 8-10 mW, and alinear velocity of 9 m/s (revolution 2400 rpm, radius 36 mm). A carriersignal of 5.8-15 MHz was recorded in the recording layer by the magneticfield modulation method with a recording magnetic field of ±150 Oe,under the application of a horizontal auxiliary magnetic field of 20 Oe,and the dependence of C/N ratio on the recording frequency wasinvestigated. The reproducing power was so adjusted as to maximize theC/N ratio. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 2!

A magnetooptical recording medium was prepared on a polycarbonatesubstrate by forming a GdFeCo reproducing layer and a TbFeCo recordinglayer in a similar manner as in the example 1. However, the TbFeCorecording layer had a thickness of 300 Å and such a composition as to beTM rich at the room temperature and to have the compensation temperaturebelow the room temperature and the Curie temperature at 240° C.

This magnetooptical recording medium was subjected to the recording of acarrier signal of 8-15 MHz under the application of a horizontalmagnetic field and the signal reproduction, in a similar manner as inthe example 1, except that the recording magnetic field was 160 Oe andthe horizontal auxiliary magnetic field was 50 Oe. The reproducing powerwas so adjusted as to maximize the C/N ratio. The obtained results areshown in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 3!

On a polycarbonate substrate, there were formed in succession, a SiNinterference layer of a thickness of 780 Å, a GdFeCo reproducing layer,a DyFeCo recording layer and a SiN protective layer of a thickness of700 Å in a similar manner as in the example 1. At the formation of thereproducing layer, an external magnetic field of 500 Oe was appliedhorizontally, in order to generate a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in thehorizontal direction.

The GdFeCo reproducing layer had a thickness of 400 Å and such acomposition as to have the compensation temperature at 270° C. and theCurie temperature at 350° C. or higher.

The DyFeCo recording layer had a thickness of 300 Å and such acomposition as to be TM rich at the room temperature and to have thecompensation temperature below the room temperature and the Curietemperature at 200° C. The recording magnetic field was ±150 Oe, and thereproducing power was so adjusted as to maximize the C/N ratio. Theobtained results are shown in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 4!

On a polycarbonate substrate, there were formed, in succession, a SiNinterference layer of a thickness of 780 Å, a GdFeCo reproducing layer,a TbFeCo recording layer, and a SiN protective layer of a thickness of700 Å in a similar manner as in the example 1.

The GdFeCo reproducing layer had a thickness of 400 Å and such acomposition as to have the compensation temperature at 260° C. and theCurie temperature at 350° C. or higher.

The TbFeCo recording layer had a thickness of 400 Å and such acomposition as to be TM rich at the room temperature and to have thecompensation temperature below the room temperature and the Curietemperature at 200° C. The recording magnetic field was ±150 Oe. Thereproduction was conducted under the application of a weak horizontalmagnetic field of about 15 Oe, and the reproducing power was so adjustedas to maximize the C/N ratio. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1!

The example 1 was reproduced in the preparation of the magnetoopticalrecording medium and in the measurement of record/reproducingcharacteristics, however, without the application of the auxiliaryhorizontal magnetic field in the film formation, recording orreproducing operation. The recording magnetic field was ±150 Oe, and thereproducing power was so adjusted as to maximize the C/N ratio. Theobtained results are shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________     C/N measurements!                                                                                 Horizontal                                                                    Mag. field (Oe)                                          Reproducing Recording                                                                              Upon             C/N(dB)                                 layer       layer    Forming          Min. bit length                         Compo- Thickness                                                                          Compo-                                                                            Thickness                                                                          Reproducing                                                                         Upon Upon  0.3                                                                              0.4                                                                              0.5                               sition (Å)                                                                            sition                                                                            (Å)                                                                            Layer Recording                                                                          Reproducing                                                                         μm                                                                            μm                                                                            μm                             __________________________________________________________________________    Ex. 1                                                                            GdFeCo                                                                            400  TbFeCo                                                                            400  0     20   0     33 43 46                                2  GdFeCo                                                                            400  TbFeCo                                                                            300  0     40   0     30 42 45                                3  GdFeCo                                                                            400  DyFeCo                                                                            400  500   0    0     32 40 44                                4  GdFeCo                                                                            400  TbFeCo                                                                            400  0     0    15    32 42 45                                Ref.                                                                             GdFeCo                                                                            400  TbFeCo                                                                            400  0     0    0     24 37 42                                Ex. 1                                                                         __________________________________________________________________________

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of recording information on amagnetooptical recording medium in which there are provided on asubstrate at least a reproducing layer horizontally magnetizable at roomtemperature and vertically magnetizable above a predeterminedtemperature higher than the room temperature, and a recording layervertically magnetizable at the room temperature and above thepredetermined temperature, said method comprising:a step of irradiatingthe medium with laser light to heat the reproducing layer at least tothe predetermined temperature, thereby rendering the reproducing layervertically magnetizable and causing the same to effect exchange couplingwith the recording layer; a step of applying a vertical externalmagnetic field to a portion, irradiated with the laser light, of themedium; and a step of applying, to the medium, a horizontal externalmagnetic field weaker than the vertical external magnetic field duringrecording of data in the recording layer.
 2. A method of reproducinginformation from a magnetooptical recording medium in which there areprovided on a substrate at least a reproducing layer horizontallymagnetizable at room temperature and vertically magnetizable above apredetermined temperature higher than the room temperature, and arecording layer vertically magnetizable at the room temperature andabove the predetermined temperature and in which information isrecorded, said method comprising:a step of applying a horizontalexternal magnetic field to the medium; a step of irradiating the mediumwith laser light from the side of the reproducing layer of the medium toheat the reproducing layer at least to the predetermined temperature,thereby rendering the reproducing layer as a vertically magnetized filmand causing the same to effect exchange coupling with the recordinglayer, thereby transferring the information, recorded in the recordinglayer, to the reproducing layer; and a step of detecting the reflectedlight of said laser light, thereby reproducing the informationtransferred to the reproducing layer.